David Makes Man (2019) s01e05 Episode Script
Love or Poetize These Hoes
1 You told me someone close to you died.
He was, like, the only thing to me.
He was worried about where I was going.
You supposed to be focused on school.
I'm so sorry.
I know.
I just keep thinking about this poem you taught me "All things must die.
" - Something happen? - Got fired.
No job.
No promotion.
Do not worry about nothing.
It's gonna be okay.
Hey! Be lucky you got company, 'cause you were gonna get an attitude adjustment.
- Move.
- You should tell somebody.
- Who? - What's up? What's David want? I need a girl's voice for my project.
Ask nice! - [GIGGLING.]
- Ooh, there go Tare's man! [WATER FLOWING.]
[WATER SLOSHES.]
DAVID: The sea and all of its creatures are still so far from us.
Right there - but might as well - SKY: Be on another planet.
[FLOORBOARD CREAKS.]
Still, so much danger [FLOORBOARD CREAKS.]
and life we don't know about.
We haven't even figured out MARISSA: All the secrets to spiders.
[SIGHS.]
What mysteries are in their eyes? Are we a mystery to them? Are we like beings from a galaxy far away that they cannot understand? - Aw, or - [GIGGLES.]
- [WHACK.]
- No! Why would you do that? Marissa, stop dreaming.
Get them ready for school.
[BIRDS CHIRPING.]
[CLATTERING.]
[LOUD CLATTER.]
- Aah! What's that noise? - [CRASHING.]
Mama.
She's home.
Remember? [SIGHS DEEPLY.]
[BASKET THUDS.]
Hi, mama.
You already awake? I see you started cooking.
Mm-hmm.
And I made muffins.
[UNZIPS BACKPACK.]
David.
Why are these dryer sheets in here? David.
Yes, ma'am? What is this? I can ex "Come for a magical night under the sun.
" Well, that don't make any sense.
There's a school dance tomorrow night? - You don't want to go? - Um, it it cost money, and I figured I'd be watching J.
G.
, so Are your friends going? - Probably.
- Then you are, too.
I got J.
G.
We good.
[EXHALES DEEPLY.]
[COINS RATTLING.]
How much are the tickets, $5 each? Yeah, I think so.
- Can I - What's this? Uh J-just some math stuff I was doing.
I'm-a go.
I'm excited to go.
- Who you gonna take? - What? You got to take somebody.
Ah! Promise.
I promise.
Ooh! I can't wait to take pictures! [SIGHS DEEPLY.]
KORR-A: I said my beats go bang - WOMAN: Wash his face good.
- Aah! - No crust caca in his eye.
- Ugh! My beats go bang, my beats, they go bang I said I just touched down When you move out of my house, you can make you own choices.
But until then, you wear what I tell you.
Mom, we're supposed to wear uniforms.
Oh, you want to try me?! Then back it up, say who really gives - [HAIR SINGES.]
- Ow! - Don't move! - It's hot.
You look good.
That boy Seren is definitely going to ask you.
- I'm gonna miss the bus.
- The bus just left! - The bus just left! - Mom! Break of dawn I said my beats go bang, my beats, they go bang WOMAN: That better be [SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY.]
lotion.
Say, who really gives a damn When you're drinkin' all day, all day Now, now get on the floor, on the floor Everybody, get down Go hard till the break of dawn, break of dawn Everybody - Say ooh la la, ooh la la - [GASPS.]
Oh, no, the TV! - J.
G.
, don't say nothing.
- Don't snap at your brother.
You, read a book.
I got everything under control, okay? Ooh, ooh ooh ooh, everybody, get down [CHILDREN SHOUTING PLAYFULLY.]
And then, that's when they gave out lemonheads, and I wanted to save half.
And now my shirts smell like lemonade? Yep.
GIRLS: Bank to banky, I said 1, 2 You have your second session with the counselor today? 7, 8, 9 I pay attention.
And your project go good with Seren? - Yes, ma'am.
- 1, 2, 3, 4 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 - Down by the river - Uh-oh, let me get in on that! - Ma, we gon' be late! - Ah, ah! I can tell time, sir.
Yeah, relax, sir.
When mama get me to school, we always early.
- Come on, J.
G.
, let's jump! - Oh, me, too? - Whoo! - [LAUGHTER.]
Come on, J.
G.
Do over, do over, do over.
Eevy, ivy, over! You're mom's cool.
Where the bullfrogs jump from bank to banky - You gonna try it? - 1, 2, 3 - Aah! - [LAUGHTER.]
Come on.
You know you want to.
GIRL: Hey, you want a turn? - [LAUGHTER.]
- [HEARTBEAT THUMPING.]
GLORIA: One more time? Whew! That's all I got in me.
- GIRL: Aw.
- GLORIA: Whew! David's smart-ass over there trying to calculate angles instead of just jumpin' in.
Don't be salty, Daye.
You could still get it.
Miss Shella, I'm-a pretend like you ain't just say that about my son.
My bad, Ms.
Glo.
I "forgot" you was his mom.
Hey, get your asses to school.
Loitering all over the place.
- GIRL: Whatever! - [BLOWS RASPBERRY.]
Ah, come on, Shella.
Keep your tongue in your mouth.
Go on, girls.
All right, bye, girl! Bye, Daye.
See you 'round.
[OMINOUS MUSIC PLAYING.]
Sorry.
[IMITATING TARE.]
Bye, Daye.
See you around.
[LAUGHS.]
I see you, playa.
It wasn't all that.
Oh.
[CHUCKLES.]
She was feelin' you, yo.
Why you ain't talk to her? I don't know.
I-I tried.
[LAUGHING.]
[VEHICLE APPROACHING.]
- [BUS DOORS CREAK.]
- D.
J.
! Good to see you, standing where you belong this morning.
C, r, a, a-a-a-a, a-a-a-a z, y D-r-i-vin' me, drive me crazy, drive me wild Marissa! - Yeah? - Um You look nice.
Really? Yeah.
Uh, actually You want to go to the dance with me tomorrow? MAN: Bye, Ms.
Marie.
Take care.
I-I just I only ask 'cause I have to take someone.
Might as well be you.
Oh.
Well, no thanks.
C, r, a, a-a-a-a, a-a-a-a z, y D-r-i-vin' me, drive me crazy, drive me wild [SCHOOL BELL RINGS.]
Dr.
Bree, I-I didn't mean to worry you.
[DOOR OPENS.]
I'm sorry about that.
I didn't mean to surprise you.
[DOOR CLOSES.]
Dr.
Bree, I'm sorry about what I s I'm sorry, David.
Go on.
Ahh.
You were saying? What's that for? - Piss? - Uh-huh.
- On fire? - She said, "who set these" [MOUTHS WORD.]
"sheets on fire?" - you can say "pissy.
" - I can? You're quoting, and I asked you.
That's true and "piss" ain't a curse.
- And Mrs.
Hertrude? - Kept screaming.
She all up in everybody business.
She straight trife.
So this is why your mom asked you to watch him? - J.
G.
doesn't think first.
- But you do? Who watches you while you watch your brother? Miss Elijah.
Is it "Miss" or or "Elijah?" I don't We just call them Miss Elijah.
I see.
So, how do you feel about Miss Elijah watching you? It is what it is.
Did Miss Elijah do something to make you uncomfortable? Nah.
She's just - different.
- Different? - I'm not homophobia.
- Pardon? I mean, it's People talk about Miss Elijah, and Well, she been good to me and J.
G.
Did you mom have your friend watch you before Miss Elijah? The one that passed away this summer? What was his name again? Sky.
Was that his real name? I don't think so.
You don't think? His real name was Lamar.
- Like the sea.
- What? La mar or el mar means "the sea.
" How'd he end up with a name like Sky? He was a dealer, right? Your mom let you hangout with dealers? No! She got mad when she found out I was.
No! So even though she didn't want you to, you still found time to hangout with Sky on your own? Now was that a good decision? Why did you say that last week? "All things must die.
" 'Cause that's true.
The only thing you can trust.
Did you trust Sky? Yeah.
Who know? Do you talk to your friends about this side of you? Do they know about your home life Miss Elijah, Mrs.
Hertrude, how you take care of your brother? - You don't trust him? - I didn't say that.
Man, that would be hard, having to split yourself like that.
What about Seren? You said that that's why you and Seren were close, 'cause you could tell him stuff.
Do you feel that he sees these different sides of you? This is too much.
I can handle it.
Okay.
Okay.
How did you find out this guy had passed? Did your mom tell you? David? Tired.
[INHALES DEEPLY.]
You mentioned that last time, too.
You were tired.
How much sleep are you getting at night? A few hours.
I just lay there up.
[DRAWER OPENS.]
I can give you something to help you sleep at night.
- You think your mother can - No! You can't do that.
[SCHOOL BELL RINGS.]
David, I know that Principal Fallow only mandated these two sessions, but we're finally starting to get somewhere.
Would you like to meet a few more times? I have to? It's up to you and your mom, of course.
David, I'm here to help, if you want that.
I'll wait a few days before I give away your time slot, okay? [DOOR OPENS, CLOSES.]
Hey, hey! Hey.
What's up? Your elbow's ashy.
Your life is ashy.
Hey, you're going to the dance now? Who told you? - I have to.
You? - He's going with me.
- I asked him this morning.
- Seriously? - [SCHOOL BELL RINGS.]
- [SCOFFS.]
- Sorry? - [SIGHS.]
- Come on.
- [LOCK RATTLES.]
Ugh! Imagine you have three octopi, right? Each one has eight legs, so how many legs are in the net now? Anyone? Lon's already taking her to the dance.
Mind your own business.
Mr.
Lopez? The plural of octopus is actually octopuses, not octopi.
[STUDENTS MURMUR.]
[INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS.]
Better grow boobs.
She likes girls.
[SIGHS.]
Hey, she's cute.
She's going with Derrick.
Nobody asked you.
Hey, it's not a big deal to go alone.
Just go alone.
That's what I was gonna do.
I promised my mom.
- So? - We're serious about promises.
- Out of your league.
- [SIGHS.]
[MARISSA CHUCKLES.]
- Naomi? - Taken.
- Ola? - Same.
- Oh, my god.
- [STIFLES LAUGH.]
- Shut up! - [LAUGHS.]
Dr.
Bree.
Hey, there.
How you doing? - Great.
And you? - Oh, yeah.
Still getting settled.
Getting the lay of the land.
Makes two of us.
Were you heading out? No, actually, I was wondering about David Young? - Oh, he's come in.
- Twice, right? - Yes.
- Well, given that, I was wondering if, in your mind, he's handling the pressures of the magnet program appropriately.
Wait.
What? Well, you are aware, of course, he was in that fight.
I'm not confused about the conversation, just concerned about how we're having it.
[INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS.]
Man of war! What's on your mind? Dr.
Bree.
You got him right where you want him.
See him again.
Have yo' mama call and set him straight.
- Tell him all about how y - I don't want to see him again.
- [CHUCKLES.]
- I'm not in the mood.
Ah, got to stay on point.
Don't you need a date? You should be beggin' me for advice.
You know I used to poetize these hos.
[LAUGHS.]
Tare, my pearl, my sapphire.
You corny.
I see you lookin' at her.
You got to let Tare know you want her, but don't say too much.
When you see her, stare.
And when she look at you, look away.
- [CHUCKLES.]
- [LAUGHS.]
Come on.
You try it.
Don't make me ask you again.
Aw, yeah! That's what I'm talkin' 'bout.
[LAUGHS.]
Now let's get you loose so you ready.
Nah, I ain't goin' nowhere with you right now.
- Yes, you are.
- Nuh-uh.
Come on.
You know you want to.
[NEW EDITION'S "IF IT ISN'T LOVE" PLAYING.]
[AMPLIFIED VOICE.]
Coming to the stage, our poet laureate, David Young! I don't love her, I tried to tell myself But you can see it in my eyes So don't deny, I can't fool no one else The truth is in the tears I cry 'Cause if it isn't love, why do I feel this way? Why does she stay on my mind? And if it isn't love, why does it hurt so bad? Make me feel so sad inside? If it isn't love Maybe she'll take me back Hey, girl, he's begging I made a big mistake Won't you forgive him, girl? Now I can feel it He's never felt before I really love her You love her? What?! The fuck you doing, nigga? He said, "my pearl.
" I heard him.
Shit.
You tryin' to mack? - Nah, I-I was just - [LAUGHTER.]
Hey, you better tighten up, Daye, out here with that weak-ass game.
Come on, dude.
Shit.
[HEARTBEAT THUMPING, DISTORTED VOICES.]
Sapphire.
What did you just say? Isn't that the wrong color? What? That Tare? Ay, she gonna be thick as fuck when she get grown.
- Shit! - Go holla at her! I ain't know she about to be open for business.
[LAUGHS.]
- Boy, you ain't never gonna - Aw, you mackin' [LAUGHS.]
[LAUGHTER.]
Oh, hell, nah, nigga! - He crazy.
- Ay, dawg.
Ay, dawg.
Come on, dawg.
GLORIA: Jesus Christ! More piss?! Mission Mission compromised! Abort! Abort! This can't keep happening.
Do you want me to put these pissy sheets back on your bed and make you sleep on em? - No! - Then you need to stop it.
The whole place smell like piss, been sitting in here for weeks! You too old for this.
Jonathan Greg, do you hear me? [VOICE BREAKS.]
I'm sorry, Mama.
I'm sorry.
It's all right.
Okay, now.
[REFRIGERATOR CLOSES.]
Well, hello to you, too.
Hey, Mama.
You got a date for the dance? I was too busy with the counselor today.
[SIGHS.]
[SIGHS.]
[LAUGHS SOFTLY.]
Why don't you take that girl Tare? She cute.
Mama, please get out.
Wait.
What is that on your arm? I gave blood and some plasma.
Don't worry, I'm on top of it.
Mama, come on.
I bet it'll still fit.
Damn, when you home, you home.
What did you just say? - Nothing.
- Good.
Put it on.
- [J.
G.
LAUGHING.]
- So handsome! My man! Is them short pants or long shorts? J.
G.
, stop acting like you ain't never seen a man in a suit.
You look like Miss Elijah in capris.
It don't fit.
[LAUGHING.]
"You must acquit.
" Do you even know what that means? Sit little behind down.
I ain't done with you.
So glad that TV gone.
Ma, these too short.
What do you mean? That's the style.
I can't wear this.
I paid good money for that suit.
You gonna wear it at least once.
I don't know why you so upset.
You look good.
Go ask a girl out right now with them pants on.
- I bet you she say yes.
- [MAKES KISSING SOUNDS.]
- J.
G.
, I'm-a - Go on! Go.
Right now? Really? You'll thank me.
- You love me? - Of course.
- Please don't make me do this.
- Boy Anyone would be lucky to have you.
One second.
Yo, Daye, I'm-a need my pants back.
[LAUGHS.]
[DOOR CLOSES.]
Put this on.
J.
G.
: Oh, my god.
Don't come back till you got a date.
[J.
G.
LAUGHS.]
Um, hey, Tare.
I think we look great together.
If we went to the dance together [UPSTAIRS DOOR OPENS.]
- Fuck.
- [DOOR CLOSES.]
David.
Is that you down there with all that mouth? Sorry, Miss Elijah.
And what is going on with that bottom half? My mom said that's the style.
Chile [SCOFFS.]
bless Gloria.
You know that woman tried to get me to wear an Armani suit to the MET Gala? [CHUCKLES.]
no, ma'am.
Come on.
[WHIRRING.]
Now remember, when you ask a woman out, you got to be graceful poised.
You trying to rip my favorite pants? - They all your favorite pants.
- It's hot.
It is a cloth that does not breathe.
Like I was saying, you got to walk on air like Prince, lithe and sexy.
I mean it, David.
I know what I'm talking about.
Ooh, Star Child, go get that dickey from the dresser.
- The dicky? - Tuck that in under your jacket? It'll look so nice.
Baroque.
Ooh, and we need a flower for your lapel.
- Go get a flower for your lapel.
- No, thanks, miss Elijah.
I'm good, really.
Just the pants, if that's okay? Well, all right, then.
But just remember, women love a sensitive man.
So don't be your harder self, okay? Be open.
Let her know right away how much she means to you.
Tell her you been watching her from afar, "positively pining, "paralyzed, unable to approach such beauty.
" And, of course, don't forget to come armed with facts.
- What? - Women love facts.
And, David, unbutton your shirt a little bit.
You know, use what god gave you.
[INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS.]
Hey.
- What's up? - [DOOR CLOSES.]
Um Did you know it's octopuses, n-not octopi? Like, the plural of an animal when there's two or more.
Uh, okay.
[GIGGLES.]
So, um, would you go with me tomorrow night? There's this school dance.
Seren, did you wipe down the table? - SEREN: Yes, ma'am! - Don't shout.
Honey, can you clear the Le Creuset? It's just so heavy.
I can keep holding the pot.
- Oh, the stamina.
- Mmm.
Mmm.
[GASPS.]
Oh, my god.
Oh, that hair.
What a handsome young man you've become.
I'll go get the camera.
Let me help you? And I'll show you as many times as you need, but it's simple.
You start with the back side of the tie facing away from you.
Marissa, I get the feeling you're like me.
You we see what's special about Seren.
What's special Sometimes, he just needs a little reminder.
WOMAN: Outside everybody.
I know the sun's going down, but I'll be damned if I don't get a picture by the bougainvillea.
One moment, Marissa.
[DOOR OPENS.]
Don't give away the farm.
- [CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS.]
- Closer! Closer.
Come on, Ms.
Quava! Get in one! - Mom! - [CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS.]
We have to go.
We gonna miss the bus.
The bus? I borrowed Miss Elijah's car.
I'm driving you two! Ay! [NMB STUNNAZ' "CLAP THEM THIGHS" PLAYING.]
Clap them thighs, clap them thighs We stick it, we juke it, we vibe Hit the club, now I'm shonin' Pop two bottles, now the grey goose pourin' I'm fly, G5, I'm soarin' I'm live, I'm up, never snorin' Grey AMG, so adorin', so hot I start explorin' The beast in my pants are roarin' I had to tell it calm down, that's a warnin' Go 'head, shake-shake what you got, girl Hey! Ooh, you dance so nasty This is Tare.
Tare, Marissa.
Yeah, it's so nice to meet you.
You, too.
So y'all go to school with Daye? Who's Daye? [RUMBLING.]
Daye, right here.
[CRASH.]
- You mean D.
J.
? - Yeah.
[EXPLOSION, GLASS SHATTERS.]
[DISTORTED MUSIC.]
I mean, Daye.
Sounds nice.
Girl, you look too good Why is your tie pink? To match my dress.
I love a pink tie.
[CHUCKLES.]
And, Marissa, I love you hair.
Daye didn't tell me his friends were so cool.
Girl, what else can you do? I ain't gonna lie, let me Where's the bathroom? You know, I was just about to go.
- I'll show you.
- Perfect.
[SNIFFS.]
Are you wearing cucumber Dove? [POPPING.]
I'm applying to New World for dance.
Mrs.
Everett, I know her.
She runs that program.
- I know her.
- [SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY.]
I think she'll love you.
Oh, you haven't even seen me move.
Well, I'm sure I'll be impressed.
Daye was gonna go to Hirschton.
I know that's what he'd like.
TARE: And I have no idea why.
Who wants to go to a sleepaway school with all those boys? [CHUCKLES.]
Have you and David known each other long? Mm-hmm.
We both live in the vil.
He used to run around with this group of boys, and one of them was always coming up and lifting up girls' shirts.
Daye was following right behind them.
Hey, let's dance.
- Oh, okay.
Bye, W.
T.
- [CHUCKLES.]
Bye.
Why didn't you let me finish the story about how we first met? You shoved that kid who was about to grab me, remember? My Superman.
Oh.
I-I forgot.
Come on, Daye.
You the one that wanted to dance.
Tighten up anytime Girl, let's be honest, being single's overrated [HEARTBEAT THUMPING.]
Daye! What? Did you see that there's a chocolate fountain? Super fly, yeah Super fly, yeah, you super fly My baby's cool, yeah, she super fly [COUGHS.]
Pussy.
Don't worry about them.
They're just mad because you're special, and they aren't.
Ma's not gonna believe that there was a real chocolate fountain with marshmallows and strawberries, like in the movies.
Ooh, I can't wait to tell Shella.
She's gon' be hateful.
Why would you tell Shella? Why would I not? It's just with Shella, once she know something, the whole vil gonna know about it.
And they can't know because? I mean, it's not like they can't know.
I just feel like, can't some things be private? Oh, my god.
You're ashamed of me.
That's why you been acting weird all night.
- No, no! It's just - You just you just what? Now that I'm here, I embarrass you in front of your little magnet school friends? No, it's Shinobi and them.
Oh, you don't what them to know?! 'Cause you're a hard-ass, dope dealer rep?! - GIRL: What's her problem? - Tare, please.
- Nuh-uh! I'm too good for this.
- [PLATE CLATTERS.]
[SIGHS.]
[CHIRPS.]
[CHIRPS.]
[CHIRPS.]
You know what that noise mean? [CHIRPING CONTINUES.]
Mating season.
Hey! [LAUGHS.]
You a'ight? I'm mad I can't be normal.
Fuck normal.
Name one person you like that's normal.
- [CHIRPING CONTINUES.]
- I like you.
Point I am the opposite of the word.
Look, Daye, it's all right, man.
This a lot of work, just school and your girl.
[LAUGHS.]
Look at you, hangin' your head so hard, you fittin' to break yo' neck.
I'm sorry.
I fuck everything up.
Oh, my god! Don't be scared.
It won't hurt you.
Do you want to hold it? Oh, no.
You couldn't pay me.
I'll keep it away from you.
I just want to make sure it gets outside safe, okay? Can I sit? [CHIRPS.]
You know that girl Marissa likes you, right? What? Nah.
No way.
Unh-unh.
Then why did she look at me like she was trying to cut me when I walked in? That's crazy.
She can't stand me.
But Seren's nice.
It's cool that you got a gay friend.
He ain't.
You only saying that 'cause he light-skinned.
[LAUGHS.]
I see things.
Don't get it twisted.
He seems like a really good friend.
So You still mad at me or what? - [LAUGHING.]
- [CHIRPS.]
[OBJECTS CLATTERING.]
Wait! [SIREN WAILING IN DISTANCE.]
I'm-a miss you, man.
Only boys play with those.
You a little man now, right? Right.
Any last words? Okay, then.
Now you cured.
No more pissy sheets! [LAUGHING.]
Um Thanks for coming.
You owe me.
I still haven't had a fondue fountain.
- [DOOR OPENS.]
- WOMAN: Ahem! Bye, Daye.
[DOOR CLOSES.]
[TIRES SCREECH.]
[ENGINE IDLING.]
[ENGINE TURNS OFF, DOORS OPEN AND CLOSE.]
[INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS.]
BOY: If I ain't have Shinobi here - All right, for sho.
- So set me up, boy.
Take it easy.
[INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS CONTINUE.]
SKY: I was too young when I had a kid.
[ENGINE REVS.]
Fuck around with Angie Pussy got me stuck.
[INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS CONTINUE.]
That boy down there more like my little brother than my son.
Man, that ain't how you supposed to raise a kid.
That's life, though, doing things you don't want to.
Fuck, man.
I fuck everything up.
Well, almost everything.
[GLORIA LAUGHS.]
David.
He was, like, the only thing to me.
He was worried about where I was going.
You supposed to be focused on school.
I'm so sorry.
I know.
I just keep thinking about this poem you taught me "All things must die.
" - Something happen? - Got fired.
No job.
No promotion.
Do not worry about nothing.
It's gonna be okay.
Hey! Be lucky you got company, 'cause you were gonna get an attitude adjustment.
- Move.
- You should tell somebody.
- Who? - What's up? What's David want? I need a girl's voice for my project.
Ask nice! - [GIGGLING.]
- Ooh, there go Tare's man! [WATER FLOWING.]
[WATER SLOSHES.]
DAVID: The sea and all of its creatures are still so far from us.
Right there - but might as well - SKY: Be on another planet.
[FLOORBOARD CREAKS.]
Still, so much danger [FLOORBOARD CREAKS.]
and life we don't know about.
We haven't even figured out MARISSA: All the secrets to spiders.
[SIGHS.]
What mysteries are in their eyes? Are we a mystery to them? Are we like beings from a galaxy far away that they cannot understand? - Aw, or - [GIGGLES.]
- [WHACK.]
- No! Why would you do that? Marissa, stop dreaming.
Get them ready for school.
[BIRDS CHIRPING.]
[CLATTERING.]
[LOUD CLATTER.]
- Aah! What's that noise? - [CRASHING.]
Mama.
She's home.
Remember? [SIGHS DEEPLY.]
[BASKET THUDS.]
Hi, mama.
You already awake? I see you started cooking.
Mm-hmm.
And I made muffins.
[UNZIPS BACKPACK.]
David.
Why are these dryer sheets in here? David.
Yes, ma'am? What is this? I can ex "Come for a magical night under the sun.
" Well, that don't make any sense.
There's a school dance tomorrow night? - You don't want to go? - Um, it it cost money, and I figured I'd be watching J.
G.
, so Are your friends going? - Probably.
- Then you are, too.
I got J.
G.
We good.
[EXHALES DEEPLY.]
[COINS RATTLING.]
How much are the tickets, $5 each? Yeah, I think so.
- Can I - What's this? Uh J-just some math stuff I was doing.
I'm-a go.
I'm excited to go.
- Who you gonna take? - What? You got to take somebody.
Ah! Promise.
I promise.
Ooh! I can't wait to take pictures! [SIGHS DEEPLY.]
KORR-A: I said my beats go bang - WOMAN: Wash his face good.
- Aah! - No crust caca in his eye.
- Ugh! My beats go bang, my beats, they go bang I said I just touched down When you move out of my house, you can make you own choices.
But until then, you wear what I tell you.
Mom, we're supposed to wear uniforms.
Oh, you want to try me?! Then back it up, say who really gives - [HAIR SINGES.]
- Ow! - Don't move! - It's hot.
You look good.
That boy Seren is definitely going to ask you.
- I'm gonna miss the bus.
- The bus just left! - The bus just left! - Mom! Break of dawn I said my beats go bang, my beats, they go bang WOMAN: That better be [SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY.]
lotion.
Say, who really gives a damn When you're drinkin' all day, all day Now, now get on the floor, on the floor Everybody, get down Go hard till the break of dawn, break of dawn Everybody - Say ooh la la, ooh la la - [GASPS.]
Oh, no, the TV! - J.
G.
, don't say nothing.
- Don't snap at your brother.
You, read a book.
I got everything under control, okay? Ooh, ooh ooh ooh, everybody, get down [CHILDREN SHOUTING PLAYFULLY.]
And then, that's when they gave out lemonheads, and I wanted to save half.
And now my shirts smell like lemonade? Yep.
GIRLS: Bank to banky, I said 1, 2 You have your second session with the counselor today? 7, 8, 9 I pay attention.
And your project go good with Seren? - Yes, ma'am.
- 1, 2, 3, 4 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 - Down by the river - Uh-oh, let me get in on that! - Ma, we gon' be late! - Ah, ah! I can tell time, sir.
Yeah, relax, sir.
When mama get me to school, we always early.
- Come on, J.
G.
, let's jump! - Oh, me, too? - Whoo! - [LAUGHTER.]
Come on, J.
G.
Do over, do over, do over.
Eevy, ivy, over! You're mom's cool.
Where the bullfrogs jump from bank to banky - You gonna try it? - 1, 2, 3 - Aah! - [LAUGHTER.]
Come on.
You know you want to.
GIRL: Hey, you want a turn? - [LAUGHTER.]
- [HEARTBEAT THUMPING.]
GLORIA: One more time? Whew! That's all I got in me.
- GIRL: Aw.
- GLORIA: Whew! David's smart-ass over there trying to calculate angles instead of just jumpin' in.
Don't be salty, Daye.
You could still get it.
Miss Shella, I'm-a pretend like you ain't just say that about my son.
My bad, Ms.
Glo.
I "forgot" you was his mom.
Hey, get your asses to school.
Loitering all over the place.
- GIRL: Whatever! - [BLOWS RASPBERRY.]
Ah, come on, Shella.
Keep your tongue in your mouth.
Go on, girls.
All right, bye, girl! Bye, Daye.
See you 'round.
[OMINOUS MUSIC PLAYING.]
Sorry.
[IMITATING TARE.]
Bye, Daye.
See you around.
[LAUGHS.]
I see you, playa.
It wasn't all that.
Oh.
[CHUCKLES.]
She was feelin' you, yo.
Why you ain't talk to her? I don't know.
I-I tried.
[LAUGHING.]
[VEHICLE APPROACHING.]
- [BUS DOORS CREAK.]
- D.
J.
! Good to see you, standing where you belong this morning.
C, r, a, a-a-a-a, a-a-a-a z, y D-r-i-vin' me, drive me crazy, drive me wild Marissa! - Yeah? - Um You look nice.
Really? Yeah.
Uh, actually You want to go to the dance with me tomorrow? MAN: Bye, Ms.
Marie.
Take care.
I-I just I only ask 'cause I have to take someone.
Might as well be you.
Oh.
Well, no thanks.
C, r, a, a-a-a-a, a-a-a-a z, y D-r-i-vin' me, drive me crazy, drive me wild [SCHOOL BELL RINGS.]
Dr.
Bree, I-I didn't mean to worry you.
[DOOR OPENS.]
I'm sorry about that.
I didn't mean to surprise you.
[DOOR CLOSES.]
Dr.
Bree, I'm sorry about what I s I'm sorry, David.
Go on.
Ahh.
You were saying? What's that for? - Piss? - Uh-huh.
- On fire? - She said, "who set these" [MOUTHS WORD.]
"sheets on fire?" - you can say "pissy.
" - I can? You're quoting, and I asked you.
That's true and "piss" ain't a curse.
- And Mrs.
Hertrude? - Kept screaming.
She all up in everybody business.
She straight trife.
So this is why your mom asked you to watch him? - J.
G.
doesn't think first.
- But you do? Who watches you while you watch your brother? Miss Elijah.
Is it "Miss" or or "Elijah?" I don't We just call them Miss Elijah.
I see.
So, how do you feel about Miss Elijah watching you? It is what it is.
Did Miss Elijah do something to make you uncomfortable? Nah.
She's just - different.
- Different? - I'm not homophobia.
- Pardon? I mean, it's People talk about Miss Elijah, and Well, she been good to me and J.
G.
Did you mom have your friend watch you before Miss Elijah? The one that passed away this summer? What was his name again? Sky.
Was that his real name? I don't think so.
You don't think? His real name was Lamar.
- Like the sea.
- What? La mar or el mar means "the sea.
" How'd he end up with a name like Sky? He was a dealer, right? Your mom let you hangout with dealers? No! She got mad when she found out I was.
No! So even though she didn't want you to, you still found time to hangout with Sky on your own? Now was that a good decision? Why did you say that last week? "All things must die.
" 'Cause that's true.
The only thing you can trust.
Did you trust Sky? Yeah.
Who know? Do you talk to your friends about this side of you? Do they know about your home life Miss Elijah, Mrs.
Hertrude, how you take care of your brother? - You don't trust him? - I didn't say that.
Man, that would be hard, having to split yourself like that.
What about Seren? You said that that's why you and Seren were close, 'cause you could tell him stuff.
Do you feel that he sees these different sides of you? This is too much.
I can handle it.
Okay.
Okay.
How did you find out this guy had passed? Did your mom tell you? David? Tired.
[INHALES DEEPLY.]
You mentioned that last time, too.
You were tired.
How much sleep are you getting at night? A few hours.
I just lay there up.
[DRAWER OPENS.]
I can give you something to help you sleep at night.
- You think your mother can - No! You can't do that.
[SCHOOL BELL RINGS.]
David, I know that Principal Fallow only mandated these two sessions, but we're finally starting to get somewhere.
Would you like to meet a few more times? I have to? It's up to you and your mom, of course.
David, I'm here to help, if you want that.
I'll wait a few days before I give away your time slot, okay? [DOOR OPENS, CLOSES.]
Hey, hey! Hey.
What's up? Your elbow's ashy.
Your life is ashy.
Hey, you're going to the dance now? Who told you? - I have to.
You? - He's going with me.
- I asked him this morning.
- Seriously? - [SCHOOL BELL RINGS.]
- [SCOFFS.]
- Sorry? - [SIGHS.]
- Come on.
- [LOCK RATTLES.]
Ugh! Imagine you have three octopi, right? Each one has eight legs, so how many legs are in the net now? Anyone? Lon's already taking her to the dance.
Mind your own business.
Mr.
Lopez? The plural of octopus is actually octopuses, not octopi.
[STUDENTS MURMUR.]
[INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS.]
Better grow boobs.
She likes girls.
[SIGHS.]
Hey, she's cute.
She's going with Derrick.
Nobody asked you.
Hey, it's not a big deal to go alone.
Just go alone.
That's what I was gonna do.
I promised my mom.
- So? - We're serious about promises.
- Out of your league.
- [SIGHS.]
[MARISSA CHUCKLES.]
- Naomi? - Taken.
- Ola? - Same.
- Oh, my god.
- [STIFLES LAUGH.]
- Shut up! - [LAUGHS.]
Dr.
Bree.
Hey, there.
How you doing? - Great.
And you? - Oh, yeah.
Still getting settled.
Getting the lay of the land.
Makes two of us.
Were you heading out? No, actually, I was wondering about David Young? - Oh, he's come in.
- Twice, right? - Yes.
- Well, given that, I was wondering if, in your mind, he's handling the pressures of the magnet program appropriately.
Wait.
What? Well, you are aware, of course, he was in that fight.
I'm not confused about the conversation, just concerned about how we're having it.
[INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS.]
Man of war! What's on your mind? Dr.
Bree.
You got him right where you want him.
See him again.
Have yo' mama call and set him straight.
- Tell him all about how y - I don't want to see him again.
- [CHUCKLES.]
- I'm not in the mood.
Ah, got to stay on point.
Don't you need a date? You should be beggin' me for advice.
You know I used to poetize these hos.
[LAUGHS.]
Tare, my pearl, my sapphire.
You corny.
I see you lookin' at her.
You got to let Tare know you want her, but don't say too much.
When you see her, stare.
And when she look at you, look away.
- [CHUCKLES.]
- [LAUGHS.]
Come on.
You try it.
Don't make me ask you again.
Aw, yeah! That's what I'm talkin' 'bout.
[LAUGHS.]
Now let's get you loose so you ready.
Nah, I ain't goin' nowhere with you right now.
- Yes, you are.
- Nuh-uh.
Come on.
You know you want to.
[NEW EDITION'S "IF IT ISN'T LOVE" PLAYING.]
[AMPLIFIED VOICE.]
Coming to the stage, our poet laureate, David Young! I don't love her, I tried to tell myself But you can see it in my eyes So don't deny, I can't fool no one else The truth is in the tears I cry 'Cause if it isn't love, why do I feel this way? Why does she stay on my mind? And if it isn't love, why does it hurt so bad? Make me feel so sad inside? If it isn't love Maybe she'll take me back Hey, girl, he's begging I made a big mistake Won't you forgive him, girl? Now I can feel it He's never felt before I really love her You love her? What?! The fuck you doing, nigga? He said, "my pearl.
" I heard him.
Shit.
You tryin' to mack? - Nah, I-I was just - [LAUGHTER.]
Hey, you better tighten up, Daye, out here with that weak-ass game.
Come on, dude.
Shit.
[HEARTBEAT THUMPING, DISTORTED VOICES.]
Sapphire.
What did you just say? Isn't that the wrong color? What? That Tare? Ay, she gonna be thick as fuck when she get grown.
- Shit! - Go holla at her! I ain't know she about to be open for business.
[LAUGHS.]
- Boy, you ain't never gonna - Aw, you mackin' [LAUGHS.]
[LAUGHTER.]
Oh, hell, nah, nigga! - He crazy.
- Ay, dawg.
Ay, dawg.
Come on, dawg.
GLORIA: Jesus Christ! More piss?! Mission Mission compromised! Abort! Abort! This can't keep happening.
Do you want me to put these pissy sheets back on your bed and make you sleep on em? - No! - Then you need to stop it.
The whole place smell like piss, been sitting in here for weeks! You too old for this.
Jonathan Greg, do you hear me? [VOICE BREAKS.]
I'm sorry, Mama.
I'm sorry.
It's all right.
Okay, now.
[REFRIGERATOR CLOSES.]
Well, hello to you, too.
Hey, Mama.
You got a date for the dance? I was too busy with the counselor today.
[SIGHS.]
[SIGHS.]
[LAUGHS SOFTLY.]
Why don't you take that girl Tare? She cute.
Mama, please get out.
Wait.
What is that on your arm? I gave blood and some plasma.
Don't worry, I'm on top of it.
Mama, come on.
I bet it'll still fit.
Damn, when you home, you home.
What did you just say? - Nothing.
- Good.
Put it on.
- [J.
G.
LAUGHING.]
- So handsome! My man! Is them short pants or long shorts? J.
G.
, stop acting like you ain't never seen a man in a suit.
You look like Miss Elijah in capris.
It don't fit.
[LAUGHING.]
"You must acquit.
" Do you even know what that means? Sit little behind down.
I ain't done with you.
So glad that TV gone.
Ma, these too short.
What do you mean? That's the style.
I can't wear this.
I paid good money for that suit.
You gonna wear it at least once.
I don't know why you so upset.
You look good.
Go ask a girl out right now with them pants on.
- I bet you she say yes.
- [MAKES KISSING SOUNDS.]
- J.
G.
, I'm-a - Go on! Go.
Right now? Really? You'll thank me.
- You love me? - Of course.
- Please don't make me do this.
- Boy Anyone would be lucky to have you.
One second.
Yo, Daye, I'm-a need my pants back.
[LAUGHS.]
[DOOR CLOSES.]
Put this on.
J.
G.
: Oh, my god.
Don't come back till you got a date.
[J.
G.
LAUGHS.]
Um, hey, Tare.
I think we look great together.
If we went to the dance together [UPSTAIRS DOOR OPENS.]
- Fuck.
- [DOOR CLOSES.]
David.
Is that you down there with all that mouth? Sorry, Miss Elijah.
And what is going on with that bottom half? My mom said that's the style.
Chile [SCOFFS.]
bless Gloria.
You know that woman tried to get me to wear an Armani suit to the MET Gala? [CHUCKLES.]
no, ma'am.
Come on.
[WHIRRING.]
Now remember, when you ask a woman out, you got to be graceful poised.
You trying to rip my favorite pants? - They all your favorite pants.
- It's hot.
It is a cloth that does not breathe.
Like I was saying, you got to walk on air like Prince, lithe and sexy.
I mean it, David.
I know what I'm talking about.
Ooh, Star Child, go get that dickey from the dresser.
- The dicky? - Tuck that in under your jacket? It'll look so nice.
Baroque.
Ooh, and we need a flower for your lapel.
- Go get a flower for your lapel.
- No, thanks, miss Elijah.
I'm good, really.
Just the pants, if that's okay? Well, all right, then.
But just remember, women love a sensitive man.
So don't be your harder self, okay? Be open.
Let her know right away how much she means to you.
Tell her you been watching her from afar, "positively pining, "paralyzed, unable to approach such beauty.
" And, of course, don't forget to come armed with facts.
- What? - Women love facts.
And, David, unbutton your shirt a little bit.
You know, use what god gave you.
[INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS.]
Hey.
- What's up? - [DOOR CLOSES.]
Um Did you know it's octopuses, n-not octopi? Like, the plural of an animal when there's two or more.
Uh, okay.
[GIGGLES.]
So, um, would you go with me tomorrow night? There's this school dance.
Seren, did you wipe down the table? - SEREN: Yes, ma'am! - Don't shout.
Honey, can you clear the Le Creuset? It's just so heavy.
I can keep holding the pot.
- Oh, the stamina.
- Mmm.
Mmm.
[GASPS.]
Oh, my god.
Oh, that hair.
What a handsome young man you've become.
I'll go get the camera.
Let me help you? And I'll show you as many times as you need, but it's simple.
You start with the back side of the tie facing away from you.
Marissa, I get the feeling you're like me.
You we see what's special about Seren.
What's special Sometimes, he just needs a little reminder.
WOMAN: Outside everybody.
I know the sun's going down, but I'll be damned if I don't get a picture by the bougainvillea.
One moment, Marissa.
[DOOR OPENS.]
Don't give away the farm.
- [CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS.]
- Closer! Closer.
Come on, Ms.
Quava! Get in one! - Mom! - [CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS.]
We have to go.
We gonna miss the bus.
The bus? I borrowed Miss Elijah's car.
I'm driving you two! Ay! [NMB STUNNAZ' "CLAP THEM THIGHS" PLAYING.]
Clap them thighs, clap them thighs We stick it, we juke it, we vibe Hit the club, now I'm shonin' Pop two bottles, now the grey goose pourin' I'm fly, G5, I'm soarin' I'm live, I'm up, never snorin' Grey AMG, so adorin', so hot I start explorin' The beast in my pants are roarin' I had to tell it calm down, that's a warnin' Go 'head, shake-shake what you got, girl Hey! Ooh, you dance so nasty This is Tare.
Tare, Marissa.
Yeah, it's so nice to meet you.
You, too.
So y'all go to school with Daye? Who's Daye? [RUMBLING.]
Daye, right here.
[CRASH.]
- You mean D.
J.
? - Yeah.
[EXPLOSION, GLASS SHATTERS.]
[DISTORTED MUSIC.]
I mean, Daye.
Sounds nice.
Girl, you look too good Why is your tie pink? To match my dress.
I love a pink tie.
[CHUCKLES.]
And, Marissa, I love you hair.
Daye didn't tell me his friends were so cool.
Girl, what else can you do? I ain't gonna lie, let me Where's the bathroom? You know, I was just about to go.
- I'll show you.
- Perfect.
[SNIFFS.]
Are you wearing cucumber Dove? [POPPING.]
I'm applying to New World for dance.
Mrs.
Everett, I know her.
She runs that program.
- I know her.
- [SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY.]
I think she'll love you.
Oh, you haven't even seen me move.
Well, I'm sure I'll be impressed.
Daye was gonna go to Hirschton.
I know that's what he'd like.
TARE: And I have no idea why.
Who wants to go to a sleepaway school with all those boys? [CHUCKLES.]
Have you and David known each other long? Mm-hmm.
We both live in the vil.
He used to run around with this group of boys, and one of them was always coming up and lifting up girls' shirts.
Daye was following right behind them.
Hey, let's dance.
- Oh, okay.
Bye, W.
T.
- [CHUCKLES.]
Bye.
Why didn't you let me finish the story about how we first met? You shoved that kid who was about to grab me, remember? My Superman.
Oh.
I-I forgot.
Come on, Daye.
You the one that wanted to dance.
Tighten up anytime Girl, let's be honest, being single's overrated [HEARTBEAT THUMPING.]
Daye! What? Did you see that there's a chocolate fountain? Super fly, yeah Super fly, yeah, you super fly My baby's cool, yeah, she super fly [COUGHS.]
Pussy.
Don't worry about them.
They're just mad because you're special, and they aren't.
Ma's not gonna believe that there was a real chocolate fountain with marshmallows and strawberries, like in the movies.
Ooh, I can't wait to tell Shella.
She's gon' be hateful.
Why would you tell Shella? Why would I not? It's just with Shella, once she know something, the whole vil gonna know about it.
And they can't know because? I mean, it's not like they can't know.
I just feel like, can't some things be private? Oh, my god.
You're ashamed of me.
That's why you been acting weird all night.
- No, no! It's just - You just you just what? Now that I'm here, I embarrass you in front of your little magnet school friends? No, it's Shinobi and them.
Oh, you don't what them to know?! 'Cause you're a hard-ass, dope dealer rep?! - GIRL: What's her problem? - Tare, please.
- Nuh-uh! I'm too good for this.
- [PLATE CLATTERS.]
[SIGHS.]
[CHIRPS.]
[CHIRPS.]
[CHIRPS.]
You know what that noise mean? [CHIRPING CONTINUES.]
Mating season.
Hey! [LAUGHS.]
You a'ight? I'm mad I can't be normal.
Fuck normal.
Name one person you like that's normal.
- [CHIRPING CONTINUES.]
- I like you.
Point I am the opposite of the word.
Look, Daye, it's all right, man.
This a lot of work, just school and your girl.
[LAUGHS.]
Look at you, hangin' your head so hard, you fittin' to break yo' neck.
I'm sorry.
I fuck everything up.
Oh, my god! Don't be scared.
It won't hurt you.
Do you want to hold it? Oh, no.
You couldn't pay me.
I'll keep it away from you.
I just want to make sure it gets outside safe, okay? Can I sit? [CHIRPS.]
You know that girl Marissa likes you, right? What? Nah.
No way.
Unh-unh.
Then why did she look at me like she was trying to cut me when I walked in? That's crazy.
She can't stand me.
But Seren's nice.
It's cool that you got a gay friend.
He ain't.
You only saying that 'cause he light-skinned.
[LAUGHS.]
I see things.
Don't get it twisted.
He seems like a really good friend.
So You still mad at me or what? - [LAUGHING.]
- [CHIRPS.]
[OBJECTS CLATTERING.]
Wait! [SIREN WAILING IN DISTANCE.]
I'm-a miss you, man.
Only boys play with those.
You a little man now, right? Right.
Any last words? Okay, then.
Now you cured.
No more pissy sheets! [LAUGHING.]
Um Thanks for coming.
You owe me.
I still haven't had a fondue fountain.
- [DOOR OPENS.]
- WOMAN: Ahem! Bye, Daye.
[DOOR CLOSES.]
[TIRES SCREECH.]
[ENGINE IDLING.]
[ENGINE TURNS OFF, DOORS OPEN AND CLOSE.]
[INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS.]
BOY: If I ain't have Shinobi here - All right, for sho.
- So set me up, boy.
Take it easy.
[INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS CONTINUE.]
SKY: I was too young when I had a kid.
[ENGINE REVS.]
Fuck around with Angie Pussy got me stuck.
[INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS CONTINUE.]
That boy down there more like my little brother than my son.
Man, that ain't how you supposed to raise a kid.
That's life, though, doing things you don't want to.
Fuck, man.
I fuck everything up.
Well, almost everything.
[GLORIA LAUGHS.]
David.